If you decide to quit smoking, there’s plenty of help

Published: Monday, January 15, 2007 at 8:22 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 15, 2007 at 10:34 a.m.

Facts

Benefits

Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits for you and those around you.• Reduced risk of dying prematurely.• Lowered risk for lung and other types of cancer.• Reduced risk for heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Coronary-heart-disease risk is substantially reduced within one to two years of quitting.• Decreases respiratory symptoms, like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.• For women, reduced risk for reproductive problems, like low birth weight babies and infertility.• Not having to stand in the cold or rain to enjoy a cigarette.• Better hygiene.• More money in your wallet. Smokers who smoke a pack a day would save an estimated $150 within a month of quitting, $1,820 within a year and $36,400 in 20 years, based on average cigarette costs.• Helping others. Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke increase their risk of heart disease by 25 percent to 30 percent and lung cancer by 20 percent to 30 percent. Secondhand smoke also can cause respiratory problems. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, respiratory infections, ear problems and more severe asthma.“You’re helping your fellow man,” said Dr. Charlie Brown with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Courier staff

Well, health leaders say give it another shot because now’s the time to kick ash.

With Louisiana’s new smoking ban in place, local smokers have yet another incentive to put out their cigarettes -- for good. The new law, which took effect Jan. 1, bans smoking in all restaurants, narrowing the spots smokers can enjoy a puff.

Though some smokers can quash the habit in one try, completely quitting takes multiple attempts for most, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Nicotine is one of the most-addictive substances known to man," said Dr. Charlie Brown, chairman of the steering committee for the nonprofit Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living. He likens nicotine’s addictive powers to those of heroin and crack cocaine.

Nicotine dependence is the most-common chemical dependence in the country, according to the CDC.

Tobacco use harms nearly every organ in the body and has been repeatedly fingered as the single most-avoidable cause of disease, disability and death in the United States, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Smoking increases risk for cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease and other health problems, resulting in more than $75 billion in direct U.S. medical costs each year.

But they don’t have to if they don’t want to. Motivation is the key to quitting.

"The best way to quit is to make up your mind that you want to," Brown said.

"You have to want to stop smoking," agreed Walker. "It’s a mental thing."

Once that decision is made, the best way to quit is to stop cold turkey, a method used successfully by many, said Brown, who has helped smokers quit for about 30 years.

Other methods also can be successful, including a new one using lasers, Walker said.

The local doctor started a quit-smoking clinic in August to help area residents find a practical way to buck the habit. Walker, an internal-medicine doctor certified in hypnotism, offers a three-session program involving laser therapy, hypnosis and medications to help smokers quit. The program has been effective 90 percent to 95 percent of the time so far, he said.

Laser therapy, still under federal research for its ability to combat nicotine addiction, uses a low-powered laser to stimulate acupuncture points on the hands and ear. The stimulation encourages the brain to release natural feel-good chemicals like endorphins to help quash cravings for nicotine, Walker said.

During a session, Walker simply directs a laser beam on the spots for particular amounts of time. Patients do not feel the laser, and there are no side effects, he said. However, he does not use the method on pregnant women, people with pacemakers or with skin infections at the acupuncture sites.

Session take about 45 minutes. The first includes 20 minutes each of laser therapy and hypnosis, and patients start using nicotine patches. Most people quit after the first session, but those who don’t can return for two more sessions. The second and third sessions also involve laser therapy and hypnosis, but Walker adds nicotine spray or inhalers, and then a prescription drug to the treatment.

With hypnosis, Walker gets the patient to relax, so he can make suggestions that enter the subconscious. With the patient relaxed but conscious, Walker describes the dangers of smoking and the benefits of quitting, and suggests that the patient no longer wants to smoke. Patients walk away feeling the same but notice the method working later, he said.

According to the doctors and the CDC, a number of medications can help: nicotine inhalers, nicotine nasal spray, nicotine gum, nicotine patches, nicotine lozenges and smoking-cessation drugs. The gum, lozenges and some patches are available over the counter; the rest are by prescription. Some medications work by replacing the nicotine in cigarettes to allow smokers to gradually quit, and others target nicotine receptors in the brain to reduce cravings. Most medications at least double the chances of quitting for good, according to the CDC.

Whatever the method, the following tips from the CDC and local doctors can help you kick the habit:

GET READY

Set a quit date.

Change your environment. Get rid of all cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car and workplace. Don’t let people smoke around you.

Review your past attempts to quit. Think about what worked and what did not.

Develop a plan to deal with cravings, withdrawal symptoms and times when you usually smoke a cigarette.

Once you quit, don’t smoke -- not even a puff.

GET SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT

Studies show you have a better chance of success if you have help.

Tell family, friends and co-workers you want their support. Ask them not to smoke around you or leave cigarettes where you can see them. It’s very hard to quit around other smokers or people who influence you to smoke, Brown said.

Talk to your doctor, dentist, nurse, psychologist or counselor.

Get individual, group or telephone counseling. Counseling doubles your chances of success.

Get involved in a quit-smoking program. Call (800) QUIT-NOW for help in quitting as well as information on quit-smoking counselors, support groups and programs near you. Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma is at least one place that offers a smoking-cessation program to its patients. Getting connected with a support group to get your desires and motivation reinforced can be a major help, Brown said.

LEARN NEW SKILLS

Distract yourself when the urge to smoke hits. Talk to someone, go for a walk or get busy with a task.

When you first try to quit, change your routine. Use a different route to work. Drink tea instead of coffee. Eat breakfast in a different place.

Take action to reduce stress, such as taking a hot bath, exercising, reading a book.

Drink lots of fluids.

BE PREPARED FOR RELAPSE

Most relapses occur within the first three months after quitting. Don’t be discouraged if you start smoking again. But if this happens to you, "for goodness’ sakes, don’t give up," Brown said. Most people try several times before they finally quit.

<p>HOUMA -- Maybe you’ve tried to quit smoking before. Maybe a few times.</p><p>Well, health leaders say give it another shot because now’s the time to kick ash.</p><p>With Louisiana’s new smoking ban in place, local smokers have yet another incentive to put out their cigarettes -- for good. The new law, which took effect Jan. 1, bans smoking in all restaurants, narrowing the spots smokers can enjoy a puff.</p><p>Though some smokers can quash the habit in one try, completely quitting takes multiple attempts for most, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</p><p>"Nicotine is one of the most-addictive substances known to man," said Dr. Charlie Brown, chairman of the steering committee for the nonprofit Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living. He likens nicotine’s addictive powers to those of heroin and crack cocaine.</p><p>Nicotine dependence is the most-common chemical dependence in the country, according to the CDC.</p><p>Tobacco use harms nearly every organ in the body and has been repeatedly fingered as the single most-avoidable cause of disease, disability and death in the United States, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Smoking increases risk for cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease and other health problems, resulting in more than $75 billion in direct U.S. medical costs each year.</p><p>Nicotine use, mainly cigarette smoking, costs Louisiana $1.3 billion a year in health-care expenses, Brown said.</p><p>Plus a pack-a-day puffer spends more than $1,800 a year on smokes.</p><p>"I think it’s one of the major health crises we’re facing right now," said Dr. Patrick Walker, who recently started a smoking-cessation program at Houma Health Clinic.</p><p>Despite the risks and cost, about 22.6 percent of Louisiana residents smoke, Brown said.</p><p>But they don’t have to if they don’t want to. Motivation is the key to quitting.</p><p>"The best way to quit is to make up your mind that you want to," Brown said.</p><p>"You have to want to stop smoking," agreed Walker. "It’s a mental thing."</p><p>Once that decision is made, the best way to quit is to stop cold turkey, a method used successfully by many, said Brown, who has helped smokers quit for about 30 years.</p><p>Other methods also can be successful, including a new one using lasers, Walker said.</p><p>The local doctor started a quit-smoking clinic in August to help area residents find a practical way to buck the habit. Walker, an internal-medicine doctor certified in hypnotism, offers a three-session program involving laser therapy, hypnosis and medications to help smokers quit. The program has been effective 90 percent to 95 percent of the time so far, he said.</p><p>Laser therapy, still under federal research for its ability to combat nicotine addiction, uses a low-powered laser to stimulate acupuncture points on the hands and ear. The stimulation encourages the brain to release natural feel-good chemicals like endorphins to help quash cravings for nicotine, Walker said.</p><p>During a session, Walker simply directs a laser beam on the spots for particular amounts of time. Patients do not feel the laser, and there are no side effects, he said. However, he does not use the method on pregnant women, people with pacemakers or with skin infections at the acupuncture sites.</p><p>Session take about 45 minutes. The first includes 20 minutes each of laser therapy and hypnosis, and patients start using nicotine patches. Most people quit after the first session, but those who don’t can return for two more sessions. The second and third sessions also involve laser therapy and hypnosis, but Walker adds nicotine spray or inhalers, and then a prescription drug to the treatment.</p><p>With hypnosis, Walker gets the patient to relax, so he can make suggestions that enter the subconscious. With the patient relaxed but conscious, Walker describes the dangers of smoking and the benefits of quitting, and suggests that the patient no longer wants to smoke. Patients walk away feeling the same but notice the method working later, he said.</p><p>According to the doctors and the CDC, a number of medications can help: nicotine inhalers, nicotine nasal spray, nicotine gum, nicotine patches, nicotine lozenges and smoking-cessation drugs. The gum, lozenges and some patches are available over the counter; the rest are by prescription. Some medications work by replacing the nicotine in cigarettes to allow smokers to gradually quit, and others target nicotine receptors in the brain to reduce cravings. Most medications at least double the chances of quitting for good, according to the CDC.</p><p>Whatever the method, the following tips from the CDC and local doctors can help you kick the habit:</p><p>GET READY</p><p><li>Set a quit date.</p><p><li>Change your environment. Get rid of all cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car and workplace. Don’t let people smoke around you.</p><p><li>Review your past attempts to quit. Think about what worked and what did not.</p><p><li>Develop a plan to deal with cravings, withdrawal symptoms and times when you usually smoke a cigarette.</p><p><li>Once you quit, don’t smoke -- not even a puff.</p><p>GET SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT</p><p>Studies show you have a better chance of success if you have help.</p><p><li>Tell family, friends and co-workers you want their support. Ask them not to smoke around you or leave cigarettes where you can see them. It’s very hard to quit around other smokers or people who influence you to smoke, Brown said.</p><p><li>Talk to your doctor, dentist, nurse, psychologist or counselor.</p><p><li>Get individual, group or telephone counseling. Counseling doubles your chances of success.</p><p><li>Get involved in a quit-smoking program. Call (800) QUIT-NOW for help in quitting as well as information on quit-smoking counselors, support groups and programs near you. Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma is at least one place that offers a smoking-cessation program to its patients. Getting connected with a support group to get your desires and motivation reinforced can be a major help, Brown said.</p><p>LEARN NEW SKILLS</p><p><li>Distract yourself when the urge to smoke hits. Talk to someone, go for a walk or get busy with a task.</p><p><li>When you first try to quit, change your routine. Use a different route to work. Drink tea instead of coffee. Eat breakfast in a different place.</p><p><li>Take action to reduce stress, such as taking a hot bath, exercising, reading a book.</p><p><li>Drink lots of fluids.</p><p>BE PREPARED FOR RELAPSE</p><p>Most relapses occur within the first three months after quitting. Don’t be discouraged if you start smoking again. But if this happens to you, "for goodness’ sakes, don’t give up," Brown said. Most people try several times before they finally quit.</p><p>Here are things to avoid:</p><p><li>Drinking alcohol. Drinking lowers your chances of success.</p><p><li>Other smokers.</p><p><li>Weight gain. Eat a healthy diet and stay active. Don’t let weight gain distract you from your main goal.</p><p><li>Bad moods or depression. There are lots of ways to improve your mood other than smoking. Some quit-smoking medications also lessen depression.</p><p>For a detailed guide on quitting, visit www.smokefree.gov.</p>